Computer scripts are read by programs and used to complete functions, often found on websites. Open source scripts can be modified by users, while closed scripts cannot. Modifying the source code requires programming knowledge and caution.
A computer script is like a computer program, but instead of being read by one computer’s processor, it is read by another program. These are typically for web-based programs or websites, but can also be used in other software. Open source scripts are commonly seen online, especially on free computer scripting websites. Being open source means that the script can be modified, allowing the user to customize, remove or add features to the original script.
Open source scripts and scripts are exactly the same in their functionality: they are made to complete one or more functions and processes. For example, an image gallery script, whether or not it’s open source, will create an image gallery to which the user can add or delete images. Both of these scripts are processed the same way. They are processed by a running program, rather than processed by the computer’s processor, which makes them easier to implement but slower than functions that use the processor.
These scripts appear most often on websites, but can also be used in programs. When used with websites, they add new functions to the website that would otherwise be impossible to duplicate. When paired with a program that allows scripting, it can add new functions or program a macro into the software, telling it to perform several functions at once.
The open source scripts all come with an open source license. When something is open source, it means that the source code, or the code used to create the script, is stripped bare for the downloader to look at and manipulate. Closed scripts, which are usually sold and are not free like most open source scripts, do not allow this manipulation and make it very difficult or impossible for users to modify the code.
By making the source code bare and open, users are able to work on a script to tailor it to their needs. For example, if there is a script that creates a blog but the user wants to change how the blog displays posts, the user goes into the source code and modifies it. The source code should only be modified if the user is familiar with the programming language or has specific instructions, as modifying the source code can accidentally destroy the script.
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